Over 350,000 chemicals, chemical mixtures and plastics used in common products like winter gloves, toys and electronics are contributing to soaring rates of diseases like diabetes and cancer in kids, as well as conditions like autism and ADHD, a consortium of prominent doctors and researchers have warned.
In a January paper published in the prominent New England Journal of Medicine, about two dozen experts warned that the widespread use of synthetic chemicals in consumer goods is harming children. They called for stronger rules to force the testing and monitoring of new chemicals as they enter the market. But Canada and the U.S. only regulate a handful of these products and manufacturers can use most of them with impunity — even though the chemicals are routinely found in humans.